Ultrasonographic evaluation of the fetal thymic-thoracic ratio in preeclampsia

Figures & data

Figure 1. Thymus and thorax diameters. (A) Thymus diameter (anteroposterior thymus diameter) and (B) thorax diameter (intrathoracic mediastinal diameter), Fetal thymic thoracic ratio: (A)/(B).

Table 1. Comparison of characteristics and the fetal thymic thoracic ratio between preeclamptic cases and the control group.

	Control group (n:120)	Preeclampsia group (n:120)	p Value
Maternal age (years)	32 (20–43)	30.5 (18–44)	.072
Gravidity	3 (2–7)	3 (1–8)	<.001
Parity	2 (0–4)	1 (0–4)	<.001
Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m^2)	26.3 (24.6–29.4)	26.85 (23.7–29.6)	.081
Gestational age at the time of the study (weeks)	30.7 (29–31.7)	30.56 (29.14–31.84)	.150
Gestational age at birth (weeks)	39 (37–39.56)	37.35 (31.14–39)	<.001
Birth weight (g)	3337 ± 282	3052 ± 364	<.001
Thymic-thoracic ratio	0.43 (0.324–0.462)	0.396 (0.35–0.413)	<.001

Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation; median (minimum-maximum).

The bold values p < .05 indicates a significant difference.

Table 2. Kruskal–Wallis test comparing fetal thymic thoracic ratio between the mild preeclampsia group, severe preeclampsia group, and the control group.

	Control group (n:120)	Mild Preeclampsia (n:85)	Severe Preeclampsia (n:35)	p Value
Thymic-thoracic ratio	0.43 (0.324–0.462)	0.399 (0.388–0.413)	0.385 (0.350–0.394)	<.001

Data are expressed as median (minimum-maximum).

The bold value p < .05 indicates a significant difference.

Figure 2. The ROC curve for the fetal thymic-thoracic ratio to predict preeclampsia.